Nam, Zim cement cooperation

More needs to be done to fully exploit the trade and investment potential offered by the Namibian and Zimbabwean economies.To this end the two countries have agreed on the terms of reference for the operationalisation of the joint trade and economic committee, and have concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on SME cooperation.This was revealed by the ministry of international relations' executive director, Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, at the official opening of the ninth session of the Namibia-Zimbabwe joint permanent commission of cooperation (JPCC) on Monday.She said the two governments agreed to strengthen cooperation in a number of sectors, such as trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, mining, energy, health, transport, culture and tourism. “We are of the view that the outcome of the previous sessions of the joint commission of cooperation, complemented by the exchange of high-level visits between our two countries, has further consolidated our bilateral relations,” she said. Furthermore, the meeting is expected to finalise a number of legal instruments, which speak to the creation of a conducive and enabling institutional environment for businesspeople.This includes the reviewed MoU on cooperation in the field of information, media and broadcasting, the revised MoU on science, technology and innovation, the MoU on fisheries and freshwater aquaculture conservation and the twinning agreement between Kavango East in Namibia and the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe.“We welcome the continuation of direct flights between our two capitals, as well as the increasing collaboration we are witnessing between our regional and provincial governments, thus emphasising the importance of people to people contact,” said Ashipala-Musavyi.Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean secretary for foreign affairs and international trade, Ambassador James Manzou, indicated that Zimbabwe is ready to recommend to the heads of state that the JPCC be be upgraded to a bi-national commission. He also informed the meeting about his country's recent decision to reform its currency regime, which led to the re-introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar and bond notes.“The re-introduction of the local currency was necessary as the old regime of multi-currencies resulted in our products becoming uncompetitive on regional and international markets. The monetary reforms have clearly started bearing fruit, as the prices of goods in shops have stabilised and in some cases gone down,” he said. JEMIMA BEUKES

Nam, Zim cement cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-20

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Nam, Zim cement cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-20

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